Prolonged QT interval, any advice?

Heart health and blood vessels
1

Hi everyone

I have only just joined this group and hope its the right place, so forgive me if its not.

Anyway, I am bipolar, have anxiety and also various allergies including skin irritation.  Two months ago my gp put me on hydroxyzine (a sedating anti histamine), it was a miracle drug for me, cured all my allergies and helped me get off diazepam as it has anti-anxiety properties.  However, my local pharmacist recomended against this as in combination with my anti-depressant citalopram, it can cause heart irregularities, so they did another ECG on me, and lo and behold, since going on the hydroxyzine I have devloped an extended qt interaval, which apparently can be fatal.  I've been taken off the hydroxyzine, put back on cetirizine anti-histamine which doesn't work, and the diazeapm, so right back at square one, not a happy bunny.

I'd be interested to hear any stories anyone else has who has an extended qt interval so that I can learn more about it.

Thanks

LIzzie

2

Hi Lizzie yes sadly antihistamines do prolong the qtc 😐

3

Hi Mazza

Thanks for your reply.  I'm now on Fexafendine which they hope won't prolong the QT interval.  I'm told its the sedating anti-histamines which are the worst, which this one isn't.

Saw my new GP today as I've moved home, and all well, she is really understanidng

Lizzie x

4

Yes I have to admit I feel fine on the non sedating ones such as loretadine